It isn’t day-after-day you discover a watercolour brush that carries the legacy of three generations of artisans together with it. Nevertheless, the Escoda Último Evolution 1933 is one such brush. With its intensive water-holding capability to cowl massive, sweeping washes and its sharp, outlined tip that simply handles crisp strains and nice element, it was clear from the second I picked up the Último Evolution that this was no easy, bizarre paintbrush; however that it was additionally a unprecedented piece of nice artwork gear.

Escoda Último Evolution 1933 Watercolour Brush
Concerning the Último Evolution 1933 Brush
The Último Evolution artificial watercolour brush has been designed in collaboration with famend artist Joan Coch, and it’s simple to see the hand of a grasp in each side of this brush’s design. The artificial bristles of this spherical mop have been designed to imitate the water-carrying capability of the extra conventional squirrel hair watercolour brushes, and the distinctive ferrule design with its intricate gap sample permits much more water to be absorbed and retained by the comb; as much as 50% greater than an ordinary Escoda Último Spherical Mop Brush, which is spectacular to say the least. The deal with is crafted from birch wooden and is mild, elegant, and ergonomically designed to relaxation simply within the hand. There’s additionally a small, flattened edge on one facet to permit the comb to be positioned on a flat floor with out rolling: a considerate contact.
About Escoda
The top quality of this brush ought to come as no shock to these already accustomed to the Escoda model. In accordance with their firm internet web page, their legacy started within the autumn of 1933, with their founder Josep Escoda Roig; and now, 85 years later, this Barcelona-based firm has amassed an unlimited wealth of historical past with regards to producing top quality nice artwork supplies. The primary technology established the enterprise foundations with the creation of a machine to understand the grooving of the comb’s ferrule. The second technology improved the method through the use of its world-renowned triple groove course of, and the third technology launched one thing fully new: the attractive and sensible perforated ferrule we discover on the Último Evolution. So, what higher title for this new brush than the 1933; a brush that carries the mixed legacy of three generations of creators?
My First Impressions of the Escoda Último Evolution 1933 Brush
The Último Evolution arrived thoughtfully packaged to stop harm in transit, and elegantly offered in a wise white cardboard field with useful data printed on the reverse about each the comb and the model. I used to be making an attempt out the scale #20 brush, and regardless of its dimension I discovered it remarkably mild. I did fear at first that I might discover it unwieldy, nevertheless I quickly grew to become accustomed to the ergonomic deal with design and located the flat edge an extremely helpful characteristic for the occasions once I needed to put the comb down in an effort to change my water. The picket deal with is comparatively quick and a wealthy, burnished black-brown color. The silver ferrule with its gap sample is each engaging and practical, with the bristles sure in place by a triple crimp; and in all honesty, I merely couldn’t wait to familiarize yourself with it.
Testing the Escoda Último Evolution 1933 Brush
For my first experiment, I made a decision to attempt just a few easy strains and washes. The normal rounded mop form mixed with the tight level promised wonderful versatility, and I used to be excited to check the Último Evolution’s water-carrying capability. I already personal a few common Escoda Último Spherical Artificial Mop Brushes and use them often in my day-to-day portray follow, so I used to be to see how this new one would evaluate.
The Último Evolution held and delivered loads of paint and water in a managed method, simply creating broad swathes of color. I have to admit to being totally impressed by the water-carrying talents of the artificial bristles, and regardless of being unable to quantify exactly how a lot additional water this brush might carry, I discovered that it was capable of retain way more paint than each of my common artificial mops, and much more than my pure squirrel-hair brush. I used to be capable of paint in lengthy, sweeping strokes with out having to repeatedly return to my palette to gather extra paint. This can be a very helpful high quality in a watercolour brush, as I discovered it gave me extra management over the richness of paint in my washes; as a result of I wasn’t frequently needing to dip again into my paint and water, and due to this fact I wasn’t risking altering the color and readability of my wash by probably introducing totally different concentrations of paint.
The nice element level on this watercolour brush didn’t disappoint both. When used with care, the Último Evolution delivered the paint in a managed, exact method from the pointed tip, permitting me to create stunning calligraphic marks in addition to flat areas of color. This got here as a shock to me, as I might ordinarily swap to a smaller dimension of brush to put element into my work; nevertheless, the Último Evolution dealt with delicate work with a precision I didn’t count on. This was one other large plus level for me, as I dislike having to modify between totally different sized brushes whereas making an attempt to color shortly and loosely in watercolour.
Additional Ideas on Makes use of and Mark-Making
A lot as you’d count on from a conventional squirrel-hair brush, the bristles of this artificial mop brush are very mushy and lack spring, which at occasions could make it a bit awkward to manage. Nevertheless, the mushy bristles are additionally excellently versatile, and the exact tip mixed with the rounded stomach is a formidably versatile mixture, because it gives the person the power to create all kinds of shapes in a single stroke.
This capability for various mark-making signifies that the Último Evolution is suited to all kinds of portray types. I can attest that it’s perfect for free panorama painters, with its massive water carrying capability, and would even recommend that its versatility would make this brush a super addition to a plein air portray equipment. When it comes to merely being a extremely wonderful, helpful watercolour brush, I imagine the Último Evolution would excel when utilized in most types of watercolour portray, together with botanicals and portraits; I might additionally recommend that it might be particularly helpful to the summary artist as properly, the place the power to maneuver seamlessly between a large stroke and a nice, crisp line could be an amazing benefit.
Actually, I solely had one situation with this brush, which occurred once I tried to color from my small set of half-pan watercolour paints. The scale of the comb’s stomach meant that once I went to select up color from one pan, I sometimes ended up choosing up a contact of the neighbouring color as properly – clearly, this isn’t perfect! Nevertheless, after noticing this situation, I started to take extra care when pulling color from my half-pans, and I discovered that once I slowed my tempo, and focussed on utilizing the comb tip greater than the massive stomach, I had no extra points with this; so, it appears possible this downside was extra all the way down to person error than any high quality of the comb itself. I additionally examined the comb with my watercolour tube paints squeezed onto a palette and had no bother choosing up my desired colors.
I beloved the flexibility of this brush. It was a joyous factor to make use of, and I discovered myself getting fairly carried away whereas testing it; a lot so, that for a short while I forgot that I used to be alleged to be conducting a evaluate, and easily spent a while merrily portray. To me, that’s the finest signal of all; the Último Evolution felt like a pure extension of my hand. The artificial fibres which have been designed to mimic pure squirrel hair are greater than as much as their process, carrying a formidable quantity of water and paint, with a fantastic softness that makes portray with this brush a easy and pleasant expertise.
Additional Studying
The Growth of Artificial Brushes
A Household Matter: Handcrafting Brushes
Overview of Michael Harding Skilled Watercolours
Brush Cleansing Ideas for Painters
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